You can renew your Minnesota tabs online through the state's Deputy Registrar system, but only if your vehicle meets specific conditions

Minnesota allows online renewal for vehicle registration tabs through its network of Deputy Registrars — private businesses licensed by the state to handle registration transactions. You can renew online if your vehicle has a valid inspection, you have no outstanding violations or liens, and your registration is not expired by more than two years. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs the standard renewal fee plus a $1.50 online transaction fee.

If your registration has lapsed more than two years, your tabs are suspended, or you have unpaid violations, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office or the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The online system will tell you when ready whether your vehicle is may be able to access when you start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through a Deputy Registrar works only if your registration is current or expired less than two years, your inspection is valid, and you have no outstanding violations or liens.
  • The renewal fee varies by vehicle weight and type; the online system shows your exact cost before you pay.
  • You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration card, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
  • Your new tabs are mailed to the address on file, typically arriving within 5 to 10 business days.
  • If the online system rejects your vehicle, you must complete renewal in person at a Deputy Registrar office or a state office.

What you need before you start the renewal

Gather your current registration card and your vehicle's VIN before you begin. The VIN appears on your registration, your vehicle's dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side), and your insurance documents. You will also need a valid debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee.

Check that your vehicle has a current inspection sticker. Minnesota requires a safety inspection every two years; if your inspection has expired, you cannot renew online and must visit a Deputy Registrar in person to renew and arrange an inspection appointment.

How to renew through the Deputy Registrar system

Go to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website and select the Deputy Registrar locator. Enter your city or ZIP code to find offices near you. Most Deputy Registrars are located in grocery stores, hardware stores, and other retail businesses; the locator shows their hours and services.

Click the link to renew online (labeled "Online Registration Renewal" or similar on the Deputy Registrar's page). Enter your VIN and current registration number. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show whether it is may be able to access for online renewal. If it is, you will see the renewal fee, the $1.50 online transaction fee, and the expiration date of your new tabs. Review the address where your tabs will be mailed; if it is incorrect, you must renew in person so you can update it.

Enter your payment information and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt showing your new expiration date. Your tabs will be mailed to the address on file within 5 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your old tabs until the new ones arrive.

When you cannot renew online

The online system will reject your renewal if your registration has been expired for more than two years, your inspection sticker has expired, you have an outstanding violation or unpaid fine, or your vehicle has a lien on the title. You will also be unable to renew online if your address needs to be updated or if your vehicle is registered to a business rather than an individual.

If the system rejects your renewal, you must visit a Deputy Registrar office or a Minnesota Department of Public Safety office in person. Bring your current registration card, your VIN, proof of a valid inspection (if your inspection has expired, you will need to schedule one), and a valid ID. The in-person process takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs the same renewal fee plus any applicable penalties for late renewal.

What happens after you renew

Your new registration tabs are mailed to the address on file within 5 to 10 business days. You do not need to do anything else; the tabs arrive ready to explore to your license plate. Peel off the old tab and stick the new one in the upper right corner of your plate (or lower right if your plate is older). Keep your registration card in your vehicle.

If your tabs do not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Deputy Registrar office where you renewed or call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-296-6911. Have your confirmation number ready. If your tabs are lost or damaged in the mail, you can request a replacement at a Deputy Registrar office for a small fee.

Renewal fees and what they cover

Minnesota registration fees are based on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), not its age or make. A standard passenger car typically costs between $150 and $200 per year; trucks and SUVs cost more depending on weight. The online system shows your exact fee before you pay.

Your renewal fee covers your registration tabs and a two-year safety inspection sticker (if your current inspection is still valid). If your inspection has expired, you will need to schedule one separately at a repair shop or inspection station before you can renew. Inspection costs vary by shop but typically run $15 to $25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my tabs if my registration expired more than two years ago?

No. If your registration has been expired for more than two years, the online system will reject your renewal. You must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office or a Minnesota Department of Public Safety office. Bring your current registration card, proof of inspection, and a valid ID. You may owe a late renewal penalty.

What if I move before my new tabs arrive?

Contact the Deputy Registrar office where you renewed or the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-296-6911 with your confirmation number and new address. They can redirect your tabs to your new address if they have not yet been mailed. If they have already been mailed, you may need to pick them up at your old address or request a replacement at a Deputy Registrar office.

Do I need an inspection sticker to renew online?

Yes. Your inspection sticker must be current (not expired). If your inspection has expired, you cannot renew online. Schedule an inspection at a repair shop or inspection station first, then renew online or in person. The inspection typically costs $15 to $25.

Can I renew my tabs if I have an outstanding parking ticket or violation?

No. Outstanding violations, unpaid fines, or suspended registration will block online renewal. You must resolve the violation or fine first, then renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office or a state office. Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or the court that issued the violation for instructions on how to resolve it.

How long does it take to get my new tabs in the mail?

Tabs are typically mailed within 5 to 10 business days of your online renewal. You can drive legally on your old tabs until the new ones arrive. If your tabs do not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Deputy Registrar office where you renewed or call 651-296-6911 with your confirmation number.